Cambridge is mainly known for its famous university, an inordinate amount of cyclists, a terrible football team, a river made for punting, a folk festival and being the home of Stephen Hawking, Clive James and Jeffrey Archer. It is not, one must admit, the first place one would look for producers of dance floor-hardened beats. It is nevertheless the city that gave birth to The Nextmen, also known as Brad Baloo and Dom Search.

Dom and Brad joined forces when Brad blagged a remix for London Posse and realised he didn't have any kit with which to do it. In stepped Dom with his Roland S10 and not much else.

In 2000, The Nextmen released their debut album, 'Amongst The Madness' on the revered 75 Ark imprint. Originally intended to be a Mo' Wax-style instrumentals album, their label began sending the beats out to rappers in the States and before they knew it, The Nextmen were hip hop producers, working with Public Enemy, Blackalicious, The Pharcyde and Morcheeba.

There was then a change in The Nextmen direction that grew out of their DJ sets, as they found the space to integrate the outer reaches of their record collections. It was an organic change, but one that was driven by their outlook.

This shift in approach found an echo in the studio, too. Newly energised by their live work, songs rather than grooves began to form in their heads; fruitful collaborations with Sway, Fat Freddy's Drop vocalist Dallas, Zarif Davidson, Alice Russell, Chicago's own 'Kidz In The Hall', Jamaican legend Niney The Observer and LSK from 'Faithless' were proof that the new album, 'This Was Supposed To Be The Future' would be a step away from their previous releases.

The Nextmen and DJ Shane D guest in The Cellar Bar on Friday 16 May at 10pm. Tickets, €10, are available in advance from The Cellar Bar or on the door.

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